The latest episode of NBC’s “The Office” really cheesed me.

(I’m going to assume you know who I’m talking about, if you don’t, you don’t watch “The Office” and don’t care)

The cold opening had Creed walk in looking as close to the Joker, from “The Dark Knight,” as any middle-aged man possibly could. He walked up to Oscar and said in his creepy way, “Let’s put a smile on that face.” As he walked to his desk, Kevin pops into frame, also dressed as the Joker—but way lamer, complaining Creed stole his costume idea. “I was up since 4.”

Hilarious.

Cut to Dwight waiting for the elevator. Dressed as the Joker. He even asked if we wanted to see a pencil trick.

I was balling on the floor, waiting for hilarity to ensue. I was picturing some sort of competition to decide who could wear the costume for the rest of the workday, some sort of Scare-Off scenario.

When happened after the opening? It wasn’t Halloween anymore. Everyone was just at the office in their regular office attire. It was a huge disappointment. Instead of going back and devoting an episode, a Halloween episode nonetheless, to some of the quirky gags from the first few seasons—like Office Olympics—the show focused on Pam and Jim having lunch with his brothers and a complication in Michael and Holly’s relationship.

The episode was just as good as any of this season’s, but I can’t help but think they missed a great opportunity to showcase some of the earlier writing that helped to award the show an Emmy for best comedy series.

I understand where “The Office” is trying to go. It’s trying to have complex, fleshed-out characters to help advance the whole story of the show. I don’t mind that, but it’s still a comedy. And lately, it’s been getting a little to close to “Scrubs” territory for me.